Chapter 1832: Chapter 934: Warm Winter (Part 2)

"Yes, that’s the truth." Lian Shouxin nodded repeatedly.

The couple spoke in hushed tones, discussing until late into the night, before finally extinguishing the lamps and going to sleep.

Shen Liu personally visited Pine Tree Alley, and although the engagement was only verbally agreed upon during the drinking and opera session, the news spread quickly. Naturally, the main reason was that Shen Liu had no intention of keeping it a secret. Therefore, that night, it wasn’t just Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang who struggled to sleep. Within the deep courtyards of Liaodong Prefecture, several places had lights flickering throughout the night.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang couldn’t sleep from joy, but some households stayed awake for entirely different reasons.

"... Is it really settled? Did the Sixth Master himself bring it up?... Impossible... Why her, a country girl... What should we do..."

This was followed by the chaotic sound of cups and plates falling to the ground.

"No one can say for sure about this matter. Not only has the dowry not been provided yet, even if it were, things might not work out in the end. Even if they do, so what, there’s always a chance to get into the house the first day and die the next. Without that fortune, there’s no fortune... Such things in the Shen Family are not unheard of..." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Even if she dies the next day, she’ll take the position of the first wife. The title of ’fill-in wife’ sounds so nice... I don’t like it..."

"Fine, fine, fine, then find a way to stop her from entering..."

...

Although Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang slept late that night, they still got up early the next morning without showing any signs of fatigue. Lian Manman didn’t sleep peacefully either; after all, her life was about to undergo a huge transformation. Even if she remained calm, her emotions were inevitably stirred.

After the family ate breakfast, they discussed arranging the dowry for Lian Manman. Although Wu Lang hasn’t settled on his marriage yet, it’s definitely happening within the next year or two. So, the family discussed that some items could be prepared together.

Lian Shouxin mentioned the issue of housing first.

"Your mother and I have already thought it over. Though we are reluctant in our hearts, we’re not unreasonable. Wu Lang will likely spend more time living in the Prefecture City. Farther than that, in the Capital City, or down south, we won’t hold him back. But still, our old house will always be our root."

"Your mother and I have discussed constructing a side courtyard for you at the old house. We’ll follow the style here in the Prefecture City, so that later on, you youngsters will have your own courtyard, making it convenient."

"That’s right." Lady Zhang nodded.

Making this decision wasn’t easy for Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. If it were up to the couple’s true wishes, they’d add extra rooms within their courtyard at the old house, letting Wu Lang and Xiao Qi live there after they marry. This way, they’d be in the same courtyard, staying connected and fulfilling their parental desire to have their children and grandchildren near, united, and lively.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang were still considerate of their children’s needs, and were rather enlightened parents.

"Xiao Qi’s courtyard won’t have to wait for later, we’ll build it along with yours. Your two courtyards will be identical." Lian Shouxin added.

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi had no objections. When planning the old house, enough space had already been left for constructing additional buildings, and for two years, Lian Shouxin had intended to build houses for Wu Lang and Xiao Qi. Now is the perfect time.

"Then these houses should have models designed in the Prefecture City, depending on what my brother and Xiao Qi like, we can adjust accordingly." Lian Manman said.

Although the discussion is about preparing her dowry, Lian Manman did not shy away. It’s a significant family matter, and her opinion is always highly valued.

"Alright, let’s do this. Once the models are ready, I’ll go back to wrap things up and organize everything. Later on, I’ll arrange for a few reliable individuals to oversee the work." Lian Shouxin said.

"This is the arrangement for the old house’s buildings, and when you two are in the Prefecture City, you’ll live here. These several courtyards, along with the numerous places in the garden, make living arrangements quite flexible." Lady Zhang said.

With the issue of housing settled, the next task was preparing the items.

"Make a canopy bed for Manman, along with a full set of furniture. Regarding the wood, I’ve already checked it out. We’ll buy from the lumber store here in the Prefecture City, they have all kinds of good wood." Lian Shouxin said, revealing that he had been mindful of this for a while." Our Liaodong Prefecture has all kinds of local wood such as pine, elm, and poplar, not to mention the excellent rosewood and mahogany imported from the south. We’ll then choose the finest to buy and hire the best carpenters to start as soon as possible."

As for fabrics and spices, the family discussed sending Chiang Zhanggui, who is now known as Steward Chiang, to personally go south to procure these items.

"He’s always gone to purchase general goods in previous years. He knows the area well and has an eye for good items, so it’s best to entrust him with this task."

"We’ll create a list, and he can buy according to it. Moreover, tell him not to limit himself to the list—if he sees anything good or newly available, he should buy it as well."

Hence, the family finalized several major matters, immediately beginning to arrange people to carry them out.

Amidst joy and busy preparations, time flew by quickly. As the first snow fell, Liaodong Prefecture’s winter arrived eagerly.

In the back hall of the large Lian Family residence on Pine Tree Alley, inside where the warm bed was, Lian Manman was sitting dressed in a casual smoke-red brocade and satin jacket with elaborate pearls, a silver-red sprinkle flower brocade damask leather skirt, on the kang.

Winter had arrived, and the kang in the house was heated warmly, with a brazier also burning on the floor. Lian Manman sat there holding a small square-shaped hand warmer, her feet on a foot warmer, as she examined the new trinkets brought in by the little maids.

...

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